“Ending weeks of speculation, Ben Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne. Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which he established in “Man of Steel.” The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent. The film will also reunite “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

“In the announcement, Silverman stated, ‘We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.’

“Snyder also expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, ‘Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.’

“Kroll added, ‘We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman. He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.’

Affleck has some previous experience as a superhero — he played Daredevil in the 2003 film of the same name.

‘Ghostbusters 3’: Dan Aykroyd Spills Details on Plot

“We will be doing the movie and hopefully with” Bill Murray, the actor says.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

It looks like the Ghostbusters will be back in action.

After months of speculation, Dan Aykroyd, one of the original stars, hinted Thursday on The Dennis Miller Show that the film could start shooting in the spring.

He added that Bill Murray has not yet committed to the project, but he and the creatives behind the film are hoping Murray signs on to reprise his role from the first two films.

“Yes, we will be doing the movie and hopefully with Mr. Murray,” he said, as reported by ComingSoon.net. “That is our hope. We have an excellent script.”

In March, Ivan Reitman expressed that same sentiment to The Hollywood Reporter, saying: “There’s a very good script that the other cast members have read and liked. We’re just waiting for Bill Murray to read it.”

But on Thursday, Aykroyd argued that the movie could go forward without Murray should he decide not to return.

“What we have to remember is that Ghostbusters is bigger than any one component, although Billy was absolutely the lead and contributive to it in a massive way, as was the director and Harold [Ramis], myself and Sigourney [Weaver],” he said. “The concept is much larger than any individual role and the promise of Ghostbusters 3 is that we get to hand the equipment and the franchise down to new blood.”

The story line, according to Aykroyd, will center around the original Ghostbusters’ inability to effectively bust ghosts anymore, so they set out to find new recruits.

“My character, Ray, is now blind in one eye and can’t drive the Cadillac,” he says, “He’s got a bad knee and can’t carry the packs. … Egon [Ramis’ character] is too large to get into the harness. We need young blood and that’s the promise. We’re gonna hand it to a new generation.”

It’s unclear whether the fourth Ghostbuster, Ernie Hudson, would be part of the cast. In April, the actor said he had not been approached by anyone in the project.

“I haven’t seen anybody with any money, but I hear it’s happening, and I’ve been reading all the press stuff, and the fans have been telling me that it’s on,” he told TMZ.

Meanwhile, Aykroyd did say Thursday that there has been no casting decisions made, but one of his recommendations would be Criminal Minds actor Matthew Gray Gubler.

“There’s going to be a casting,” he added.”:We’re going to see everyone that wants to do it. We’re going to need … three guys and a young woman.”

Capital District Movies ExaminerJim Dixon

There’s a lot of online buzz about “Ghostbusters III” all of a sudden, most of it nothing new if you’re a regular of this column. Here’s a “previously on Capital District Movies Examiner…” for any of you who may have missed anything.

It is true that Columbia is prepping a third “Ghostbusters” movie, which is tentatively titled “Ghostbusters III.” They called the last one “Ghostbusters II” so the title will probably stick. Also true is that Ivan Reitman, who directed the first two “Ghostbusters” movies (and needs a hit) is attached to direct.

At least as important to fans of the franchise is that pretty much all of the original cast is signed on. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson are all listed as definites on IMDb.com. Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts are listed as “rumored.” Sigourney Weaver, who is currently featured in a little film you might have heard of called “Avatar,” is not particularly in need of work at the moment, but in the past has always been vocal about loving her experience on the first “Ghostbusters” and that was the primary reason she signed on for the second. As for Annie Potts, she’s been busy on TV lately, with appearances on some high-rated shows, including “Ugly Betty,” “Boston Legal,” “Two and a Half Men” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” However, there’s no reason to think she wouldn’t be interested in working in a big feature. She hasn’t done any feature film work lately.

Anna Faris and Eliza Dushku are also listed as “rumored.” Rick Moranis does not appear to be involved.

The script is by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, both producers and writers on “The Office.”

It is true that Sigourney Weaver said, during a publicity appearance for “Avatar,” that Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman character might be a ghost himself in the movie, and Murray has made some comments that tend to corroborate that. She’s also indicated that her character’s son, Oscar, last seen as a baby in “Ghostbusters II,” might be a Ghostbuster himself in the new movie.

Now would be a good time for Capital District movie fans to start lobbying to get some location shooting up here. This is not a crazy idea. Bear in mind that the Capital District has stood in for New York City more than once, most recently for second unit action footage on “The Other Guys.” It’s a lot easier to stop traffic in Albany than Manhattan, believe me. It’s also way cheaper to shoot up here, a real consideration in a stressed economy.

The Angelina Jolie spy thriller “Salt” did some action shooting in downtown Albany, and Angelina liked Stewarts’ coffee. Schenectady, Albany and Troy were all used on DreamWorks “The Time Machine” remake a few years back. Troy got a lot of location shooting on Scorsese’s “Age of Innocence.” The indy “Winter of Frozen Dreams” was entirely shot in Schenectady.

So politely call and e-mail the people at city hall and tell them to get on the phone. There’s still plenty of time for location scouting. All together now–who ya gonna call…?

Hints for ‘Lost’ fans: remember the first season; don’t expect sequels or spinoffs

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — When ABC’s drama “Lost” ends in May, it will definitively end — don’t look for any sequels or spinoffs.

The show’s producers said Tuesday they’ve known the final image of the mythologically dense series about Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 since the first season, although Carlton Cuse said the last episode hasn’t been written yet. It will air sometime in May.

Cuse and Damon Lindelof were giving away few secrets to the show’s rabid fans at a news conference Tuesday, even refraining to show video clips. They said the show’s sixth and final season will hearken back to its first, and most popular, season in 2004.

The producers were initially sweating about their two-hour season opener, scheduled for Feb. 2, when they heard President Barack Obama had been considering that night for his State of the Union address. It promises to be a challenging episode; actress Emilie de Ravin said she had to read the script three times before it made any sense.

“Get ready to scratch your heads, America,” Lindelof said.

A one-hour recap special, an attempt to get uninitiated or casual viewers as familiar with the story as they can, will precede the opener.

In its lifetime, “Lost” proved that it’s possible for a television series to challenge its viewers and pull off production values that rival feature films, said Stephen McPherson, ABC entertainment president.

“It will arguably be one of the most influential shows of the decade, if not of all time,” McPherson said.

One secret producers did reveal: actress Cynthia Watros, who played the character Libby before being killed off in the second season, will return this year.

“Finally, all of your questions (about Libby) will be answered,” Cuse said.

“No, they will not,” Lindelof said.

That’s something fans should prepare themselves for overall: not all of the questions raised during the series will be answered. “That would be too pedantic,” Cuse said.

They’re hoping that final show is something that will be talked about afterward in much the same way as the diner scene that ended “The Sopranos.”

“I don’t think it would be `Lost’ if there wasn’t any arguing and active debate among the viewers about whether or not it was a good ending,” Lindelof said. “My mom will say it’s a good ending, even though she doesn’t understand the show.”

“Lost” has gone through so many inexplicable twists and turns, and flash-forwards to the future, that one writer wondered whether fans had already seen the ending in a previous episode. Cuse said no.

Actors said filming the series has been an emotional journey.

“I’m going to cry like a baby when this series ends,” actress Evangeline Lilly said.